“Climate positive practices have helped our ranch survive the many challenges of extreme heat, wildfire risks, and water shortages. The Climate Positive Leaders Program will support us in learning and implementing climate positive practices on our ranch, helping us to share our story with other farmers globally.”Surrounded by creeks, ponds, riparian areas, grasslands and coniferous forests, the Fossen ranch is home to numerous at-risk species including the Lewis’ woodpecker, tiger salamanders and badgers. They actively participate in several wildlife conservation efforts and Species at Risk programs. Through targeted land management and strategic feed choices, they are able to protect critical pollinator, bird and wildlife habitat while continuing to meet the water and grazing needs of their cattle.
Doug and Erika are deeply committed to advancing climate positive practices within their community as well as more broadly throughout the British Columbia agriculture industry. Erika engages in classroom education, participates in numerous consumer outreach efforts and blogs about ranching in British Columbia where she strives to inform readers about where food comes from and the importance of various roles in the food system. Doug is heavily involved in cattle association, environmental and land stewardship efforts as well as engaging with other stakeholders to advance solutions that mutually protect industry and the environment.
